Stormwind was at a standstill. Across the city, shops were shut, stalls had been packed up, and even the taverns had kept their doors locked. The only way someone would ever know that the kingdom was still inhabited was by the booming, boisterous ringing of the cathedral bells, which had started at sunrise and showed no signs of ceasing their merry song.
They shared the palpable excitement of those who crowded eagerly around its wide open, cordoned off doors. Some had been there from the moment they'd awoken- others, had been there all night. But all were there for the same reason. Today, they would finally catch a glimpse of their newborn Princess, and witness her be blessed by the Light above them.
"Have any of ye seen her yet?"
The simple question had been bounced back and forth across the interior of the holy house, where the chosen few who'd been cordially invited to attend the ceremony waited patiently for the arrival of the royal family.
This time, it came from the lips of King Magni Bronzebeard as he stood among his fellow Alliance leaders. All had managed to make it to Stormwind that day, excepting Malfurion, who had joined his fellow druids in what could be an age long slumber, and Gelbin, who's tram had broken down about an hour away from the city.
"I've been meaning to come and visit, but everytime I went to, something told me that they needed their space," Jaina replied, resting her staff against the frontal pew that they'd claimed upon their arrival.
"I almost wish everyone else had taken the same idea, Milady- I tell you, that chamber door has been openin and shuttin all hours for the past bloody week," said Minnie.
"Ah, i bet tha's made Varian more tense than a cat in a kennel," assumed the Dwarven king, and from the chuckle he received from the Glenmore matriarch, he was absolutely right.
"You must give him credit though, Majesty….he's not killed anybody yet," Minnie added, looking back at the children of her clan.
"I hate how that's considered high praise," Jaina murmured, shaking her head. Nizaar, however, let a rather unsavoury snort escape his throat.
"For Varian Wrynn, it's considered a damn miracle," he said, earning a half-hearted swat to the arm from his wife. Once the small ripples of laughter had petered away completely, Magni ran a large hand down his braided beard, and let his gaze sweep across the crowded room.
"Look at us, would ye…did any of ye ever believe that we'd end up here?" he asked, and a wave of shaken heads was the exact response that he'd been expecting.
"I'll confess, when Valerica wrote to tell me that she was pregnant again, I couldn't help but worry for the both of them," said Mekare.
"After all that had happened, it was to be expected that we would have concerns," Tyrande, who'd sat down, pointed out.
"It's probably the reason why they waited so long before telling any of us," she added, linking her long, lavender-hued fingers over one knee.
"In fairness, I don't think that Varian had much say concerning that particular matter," Minnie stated, looking less than impressed with the idea herself.
"Can you really blame Val though? If It were me, I would've been terrified of even telling him, let alone an entire kingdom," Jaina rebutted.
"We can sit here and speculate their reasons until the end of time. What matters is that Aurelia is here, and she's healthy," Adil piped up, and a hearty 'hear hear' from Magni echoed the feelings of all those surrounding them.
"Ah tell ya somethin'….tha' girls nae gonna want fer love, is she?" Magni mused as he realised just how many members of Aurelia's 'family' were present.
"No, she's not. Just as Anduin didn't," Mekare agreed, adjusting the silk scarf that was lain over her shoulder.
"I don't think I even need to ask how he's getting on with suddenly having a sister, do I, Minnie?" Jaina asked, and to no one's surprise, the elder woman's smile grew warmer.
"No, you don't. He absolutely doteson the little mite. Apparently they've had him volunteering to do napkins and everything," Minnie told them, and it was Adil that joined in with her mirth on the matter.
"I wish my eldest had been the same when hissister had been born. To him, it were as if we'd brought a rabid dog home," he joked, but his own father didn't look too impressed.
"Do not speak as if you were any different, my son," Nizaar chided.
"As memory serves, I am quite sure that you tried to sellyour brothers when they were young!"
Adil's dirty cackle showed that he had absolutely no rebuttal, nor remorse for the accusation.
"I would've done it successfully, had Dadi not betrayed me and told you," Adil said boldly, and now it was Robin's turn to carry on the argument, even though he'd only just come back into the chamber himself.
"I think it's written in the sibling code to try and kill each other at some point," he pointed out, and Minnie couldn't exactly disagree.
"When Val and Lucian were little'uns, they'd find anything they could to beat the shit out of each other with," she reminisced, but a frown of realisation twisted her weathered features.
"But…I honestly think she and Varian were worse, and they weren't even brother and sister. Lokir told me that the first day she spent with him, he ended up with a bruised cheek, and she had a red raw scalp from where he'd pulled her hair so bloody hard."
"Aye, but to be fair t' ta girl, Varian was a little shite when he was a nipper," Magni said, folding his large arms across his barrelled chest.
"He's still a shite now, he's just gotten taller," Minnie argued, bringing another round of echoing laughter to the chamber.
"Regardless of his attitude…we can't deny that he's a good father," Jaina pointed out.
"He's very hands-on," Tyrande observed, drumming the varnished oak underneath her. "Some would say too much,for a king."
The High Priestess hadn't meant it insultingly, everyone knew that, but it didn't make the truth of it any easier to swallow.
"Ah've said from day one tha it was t' way 'es been brought up tha's caused it," Magni said. "He's always resented how little 'e saw of Llane and Taria."
"Varian was jealous of how close Valerica and Lokir were. He can deny it all he wants, but I know he damn well was," Minnie agreed, doing a quick headcount of her brood and realising that Cillian was apparently still outside having one last cigarette with Arin.
"That may well work to his advantage, though," Adil said, leaning back in his seat.
"Well, if you think about it, it's already beenworking. Think how much of a fine young man Anduin's becoming, because he's had his parents teaching him, instead of a nursemaid that's paid to make him a spoiled little brat," Robin praised, and a hum of agreement encircled the group.
"It'll work in t' lad's favour when he eventually becomes King," Magni said, turning at the same time everyone else did as the crowd outside suddenly went quiet.
"Tommo!" Minnie hissed, garnering the young boy's attention. "Go and get your Da!" she commanded, and thankfully, there was no arguments, and within a few seconds, Thomas was scurrying out of the side door like a little mouse.
"I wonder whether that means they're here," Jaina mused, taking her staff once again.
"Wouldn't it get louderif they were?" asked Priscilla, who had gathered the rest of the children and come to join them.
Thankfully, their questions were answered rather swiftly by Archbishop Benedictus, who appeared from a door just behind the altar, where he stood once he was ready to address the masses. It took only the raising of both his hands to quieten the drone of confusion permeating the chamber, and all waited eagerly as he cleared his throat.
"Ladies, Gentlemen…esteemed guests. I humbly welcome you here today," he said, with a booming voice that could be easily heard at the back.
"Now then- I have just been informed that Their Majesties are outside. But they have requested quiet before they enter this house, for the princess…has just fallen asleep." The warm smile on his face as he said it made it impossible for the congregation not to titter at the news.
"Oh, bless her," Priscilla said wistfully as she took her seat next to her husband.
"Och- our little'uns have ta learn ta sleep through hammers bangin' all day. She woulda been fine," Magni retorted.
"Ah, but I think the quiet is more for Varian and Val's benefit than it Is the child's, old friend," Nizaar joked. "If she wakes- theywill end up in a mood."
"Aye, and nobodywants to deal with a cranky Varian Wrynn- he's worse than a bear that's been poked," Cillian quipped, earning a well aimed slap from Minnie before his backside had even touched the pew.
"You don't want to deal with meeither, boy, so shut your gob and behave yourself," she hissed.
"Yes Mammy," Cillian said sarcastically, making his son, who immediately leant himself against his father's arm, and was already bored with the proceedings, laugh into his curled hand.
"So if you would please rise," Benedictus asked, raising his hands to further his point.
While those attending scrambled to get to their feet, the Archbishop turned, and gave the nod to the cathedral choirmaster, who made a point to tell those lined up in the gallery to keep their voices soft. To their credit, they did exactly that, and soon, melodic, almost ethereal singing drifted across the chamber, filling it with a calming aura that put almost everyone at ease.
It greatly contrasted the chunky, metallic sound of the Cathedral's great doors parting. The sunlight from outside spread like a fan through the widening gap, and bathed all in attendance with a warm glow. After the initial glare had faded, everyone that filled the pews finallysaw the child that they'd all been gathered to celebrate.
She was nestled comfortably against her mother's chest, with her father guiding the latter forward with an arm that was curled protectively across her back. Anduin headed the group, and was like an excitable puppy as he marched his way up the blue velvet aisle.
"Don't go too far ahead, Little Lion," Val whispered, and to his credit, Anduin must've heard her, for his steps slowed until his heels bumped against the toe of Varian's boot.
"Do you think she has anyidea about what's happening?" Varian asked, and all Val could do was give him a flick of her shoulders in way of a shrug.
"If she did, do you really think that she'd be sleeping through it all?" she retorted, fixing the lace bonnet that covered her daughter's wild tufts of hair.
"Considering that her brother slept through a hurricane once, I'm inclined to say 'yes'," Varian quipped, making Val's already warm cheeks turn a deeper red with the effort it took not to laugh.
If she had a hand free, she would've waved as they passed by their family. Thankfully, Anduin did it for her, to the point where Varian nearly walked into the boy as he stopped in his tracks to greet them.
"Come, lad, you can see them after," prompted the King, who gently pushed the disappointed prince towards the altar, where Benedictus was patiently waiting for them.
"Your Majesties. May I start with how honoured I am to have been chosen to bless the princess this day," he said, linking his fingers and resting his hands in front of him.
"The honour is all ours, Your Grace," Varian replied, still holding an arm around his wife.
Benedictus then turned to an angle where he was facing both monarch and attendee.
"Welcome, to all of you," he started, with that same smile on his face. "We have come to this holy house, to witness the induction of this child, to the care of the Light, which offers guidance, protection, and affection in everything we do," he announced, and with a wave of his bony hand, a large tome fell open upon the altar with a great 'thud'.
"Will those chosen to be this child's Light-mother, and Light-Father, please come forth."
Magni practically leapt from his seat at the same time as Mekare left hers. With a giddy grin, the Dwarven king took the hand of Samarkand's queen, and together they ascended a smaller set of steps until they were both situated either side of the open book.
"Rest your palms against the sacred text, and repeat after me," Benedictus instructed, and he was obeyed without question.
"King Magni Bronzebeard, first of his name, and lord of Ironforge. Do you accept the title of Lightfather to this child, and all it represents?" Benedictus asked, and Magni puffed his chest like a proud peacock.
"Ah humbly accept, and will guide her through life as if she were my own," he recited, impressing even himself with how well he'd remembered the oath.
"Queen Mekare Nevrakis, first of her name, and Malika of Samarkand. Do youaccept the title of Lightmother to this child, and all it represents?" Benedictus repeated, and this time, Mekare's painted lips widened with her smile.
"I humbly accept, and will guide her through life as if she were my own."
"Do you promise to protect her, when others cannot?"
"We do," replied Magni and Mekare simultaneously.
"Do you promise to listen, and keep any troubles that bring her to you?"
"We do."
"And do you promise never to forsake her, no matter her misdeeds?"
Again, and for the final time, the two of them nodded.
"We do."
There was a moment of silence as the book began to glow, and a rushing, warm wind blew over Mekare and Magni as it approved them for the task at hand. Magni didn't seem too surprised, but Mekare, who'd worshipped a completely different god all her life, closed her eyes in relief.
"If I may have the child, Your Majesties," Benedictus asked, holding both hands out. With only a slither of reluctance, Val passed Aurelia over to the priest. Apparently, she wasn't the only one not entirely comfortable with the gesture, for Varian's fingers began to dig into her hip as they tensed.
After waiting a moment to make sure that Aurelia was calm, Benedictus raised one hand, and held her over a miniaturised version of what the church assumed the fabled Naaru looked like with the other.
"By the name of the Light, I now name you, Princess Aurelia Elspeth Wrynn, first of her name," Benedictus announced, and both Varian and Val held their breath as thin tendrils of shining gold started to slither from the statuette.
The former had to grit his teeth and work to keep his feet where they were as said tendrils curled around his daughter, and eventually converged just over her heart, as they had done with her brother so many years ago.
Varian hadn't enjoyed the experience then, either. Especially when the inevitable wailing came afterwards.
"Varian…ow," Val hissed, and it was only then he realised he was tightening his grip on her again.
"I don't like hearing her cry like that," Varian spat, and apparently neither did Val, for she took his hand and held it with both of hers.
"I know you don't, but it's got to be done," Val said, but she wasn't even sure if she believed what was coming out of her own mouth. She wasn't religious, and neither was he, and the scepticism that brought made it difficult to stomach any practices put before them.
Especiallywhen they involved their children.
Thankfully, it was all over soon enough, and Benedictus gave a whimpering Aurelia back to her mother.
"It's alright, Treasure," she soothed, keeping a smile on her face despite her qualms about the entire process. There was a collective sound of approval from those spectators as Varian bent to move the bonnet back and kiss the child's head, telling her that he was there, and he was just as upset, withouthaving to launch one of his usual tirades.
"We welcome Aurelia into the Light's family, and shall give thanks in prayer for this joyous day," Benedictus informed them, and both Varian and Val followed his lead as he bowed his head to his chest.
"Light above, we gather in your benevolence…"
When the day's arrangements had first been made, Varian had been fervently against any idea of throwing a ball straight after the blessing. He thought it pointless, and wanted nothing more than to celebrate quietly, with just family and dearest friends.
But after a 'talk' with his wife, he'd had no choice but to concede to the fact that some would wish to present their well-wishes to Aurelia personally, and it would be considered bad form to turn them away straight after the ceremony had concluded.
He'd still been hesitant, however…until Anduin had told him how much he was looking forward to seeing his own friends. All morning, he'd trilled about how they'd all finally be in the same room, and how he'd missed them. He'd plucked at Varian's heartstrings well enough to make the King eventually come around completely to the idea.
So here he was, watching the boy jump about the dance-floor with little Sofia Ridgewell, and the two Wrynns had the same joyful smile on their faces.
His youngest child was nestled in the crook of her Lightmother's arm, happily crooning as she was lavished with complimenting attention.
"She's absolutely gorgeous," Mekare cooed, stroking the girl's cheek with a long finger.
"Who do you reckon she looks like more? Varian and I can't quite agree on the answer," Val asked, taking the juice that Lee passed over to her from the full tray he was offering to the group.
Nizaar, who was next to his wife, furrowed his brow as he studied Aurelia's features.
"It's hard to ascertain- there's alotof Varian. But then, there's some of you as well," he admitted, giving the girl a bright smile as her gaze turned to him.
"So, like her brother then?"
"The hells are you on about? Anduin looks nothing like me," Varian retorted, folding his arms and leaning back against the table.
"Aye, maybe not when he was a babi, but as he's gettin' older, he's getting ta be more of mix. Tiffin's colour- your arse-chin,"Magni replied, making Val sputter into her goblet.
"My bloody what?" Varian snapped, standing a bit straighter.
"I think the word that Magni's looking for is a 'cleft'," Tyrande said diplomatically, but that didn't stop a loud snort from leaving Val's covered nose. She took her drink away from her mouth, just so she could reach up and press said cleft with her thumb.
"They're talking about this little dimple right here," she told him, using the most sickly-sweet tone of voice that she could muster. Varian batted her hand away, and moved his face back to make his point further.
"Yes alright, woman, I don't need you joining in," he grumbled, much to the amusement of those around him.
"Either way, she's going to have allthe boys chasing after her when she's grown," Cillian said, worsening Varian's already bad mood.
"Not if I have a damn thing to say about it," Varian muttered, earning a kiss to his bicep from Val.
"I think we've a while before we need to think about that kind of thing, Cil," Val told him, holding on to the same arm.
"Ah take it tha means no betrothals then?" Magni asked, and Varian immediately shook his head.
"Not while we're still breathing at least. I made it clear when Anduin was born that I'm not marrying anyof my children off," he said, looking behind the dwarf to make sure his son was still in the room.
"They have their own mind, and if the time comes that they want to wed, it'll be their choice."
"A wise philosophy," said Tyrande as she sipped her honey-nectar wine. "One I'm sure they'll both appreciate when the time comes."
"I hope so, High Priestess," Varian concurred, lifting his own tankard to his lips.
"She's so alert…our daughter was a lazy little thing at this stage," Mekare said, patting Aurelia's bottom as she rocked her.
"It's actually quite out of the norm for her to be awake this long," Val replied, putting her goblet on the table. "Usually, she's spark out about five minutes after her feed."
"Och, my Moira was the same. It were like Eimer were putting something in her milk," Magni said, reassuring both Wrynns without really trying.
"Is she taking the breast, Valerica?" Mekare asked, while using a rather diplomatic low tone.
"Sort of? I'm expressing at the moment," Val said, happily letting Varian's arm wind around her waist.
"We must've spent a good hour trying to get the little goblin to latch on. But she just wasn't having it," Varian added.
"Ah, stubborn just like yer da, eh lassie?" Magni joked, holding both hands out and gladly taking Aurelia from Mekare so the queen could freely eat.
"That's putting it lightly," bemoaned Val, who reached over to take the bonnet that fell from her daughter's head during the transfer.
"She may only be a week old, but Light blind me if she doesn't have an attitude already."
"You should've seen the screaming fit she had while we got her dressed this morning," Varian chuckled, finding Aurelia's newfound personality much more amusing than his wife did.
"To be fair, mate, if I had to wear that bloody thing, I'd go mad as well," Cillian said, using two fingers to lift the train of Aurelia's skirt.
"Did you have it specially made? Or is it Anduin's?"
"Unfortunately, Anduin's gown was besieged by a swarm of moths," Varian said. "So we had no choice but to have a new one made."
"The craftsmanship is exquisite," complimented Tyrande, who gave her glass to a passing servant.
"Thank you- we used the same seamstress that made Val's wedding gown," Varian boasted, but Magni found the admission quite hilarious.
"Oh, ye mean te wedding gown we never got ta see?" he teased, making Val's cheeks turn a warm pink. Varian, however, wasn't fazed at all.
"Oh come on, old man. If the shoe were on the other foot, you would've done the same as we did," Varian accused, and Magni pulled a face of amused agreement.
"Aye, I cannae argue there," he admitted, lifting Aurelia onto his shoulder as she started grabbing at his beard.
"Let us just be thankful that today has gone as well as it has," Nizaar interjected, waving over Jaina, who'd been too busy acting as Anduin's secondary dance partner to come and mingle with them.
"I'll drink to that," Varian said, using it as the perfect excuse to get his tankard refilled.
"Ah was sayin' te your Grammy, Val- ah feel like it's only been a day since Anduin's ceremony," Magni said, bouncing the babe a she started to wriggle.
"He's growing up too damn fast for my liking," Varian grumbled, taking a sip of his ale.
"Aye- soon, he's going to be a teenager, sneaking out of the castle and bringing girls home," Cillian joked.
"You honestly think that Anduin will be that type of boy?" Val asked, but Magni was quick to interject.
"Why not- it was the type of boy his bloody father was!" he chortled, and to his credit, even Varian found the anecdote somewhat funny.
He noticed Val's raised eyebrows and did the same with both of his hands after putting his drink down.
"What? There were quite a few times that I had to wait until father went to bed to come and see you, Sweetheart," he confessed, giving her a knowing nudge. "And a few ridiculously early mornings I had to leave, remember?"
The rose tinge to Val's cheeks told him that she did indeed remember.
"I still don't see Anduin doing anything like that," she insisted, making herself seem more petulant by folding her arms.
"Regardless of what little shites they grow ta be, ye've got two bloody wonderful kiddos, and we couldn't be happier fer ye both," Magni said, raising his tankard high above his head. "To Anduin and Aurelia!"
"To Anduin and Aurelia!" toasted the rest of the group. As their arms came down, and their drinks were taken, Varian and Val shared a smile that in no way had the power to express just how overjoyed they both felt.
For Magni was right: they had two fantastic children, and they were certain that in the years to come, they would both make them exceptionally proud.
